I don't know how he does it but with each new book, M.W. Craven takes the same basic ingredients – a cast of characters who leap from the page, a dark, twisted plot lightened throughout by irreverent humour, and a superb sense of place – and creates something completely different every time, rightfully earning himself legions of fans. The Mercy Chair is, however, arguably his most clever instalment in the series to date; it's a departure from the structure of the novels and features Washington Poe describing the terrible events which ultimately result in him spending hours with a therapist but is still imbued throughout with the magic which ensures this series is so consistently unmissable. With that in mind, I would recommend reading the previous books if you haven't already. It is possible to start here, and you'll read a superlative crime thriller but the emotional heft of The Mercy Chair will be felt more by those who have followed Washington Poe, Tilly Bradshaw and their various colleagues and friends since the start.
Over time, Washington Poe has investigated several gruesome and heinous crimes and so it perhaps shouldn't be surprising that he winds up in a therapist's chair. However, it quickly becomes apparent that it's his most recent case which is truly haunting him and although the cumulative effect of bearing witness to so much previous horror undoubtedly weighs heavily on him, too, it's the story he gradually recalls here which eventually reveals why we see a new, vulnerable side to Poe. It is the darkest book so far and without giving anything of the intricately constructed, compelling storyline away, features so many twists and turns, it left my head spinning!
As Poe talks to Doctor Lang, the narrative switches between his account and the events as they took place. It means that we still see Washington at his best – or worst, depending on your perspective! He treats Linus, the new intern assigned to work alongside him and Tilly appallingly, and although the swiftly nicknamed Snoopy's presence throws up questions about his real intentions, it's hard not to feel some sympathy for him at times. Meanwhile, Poe and Tilly's relationship continues to be the beating heart of the series; they know one another so well now that there's a sort of shorthand between them. Their trust in one another is implicit and yet Tilly has a wonderful knack of embarrassing Poe, sometimes innocently but frequently less so; the impeccable development of her character means she has become a rather shrewd operator herself. Poe's personal life has also been enriched by his romance with Estelle Doyle and again, the level of understanding they share is reflected throughout their scenes together.
The balance between light and shade is always important in a crime thriller but never more so than in The Mercy Chair, when an investigation into a man mercilessly stoned to death becomes linked to a shocking earlier tragedy, and ultimately exposes Washington Poe to the very worst of humanity. Knowing he will be forced to seek help for his state of mind adds a further layer of pathos to proceedings and it's achingly bittersweet to read scenes portraying the confidently belligerent, sarcastic Poe juxtaposed against the man who whispers to his therapist that he sees crows when he goes to sleep.
As always, the Cumbrian backdrop to the narrative is impressively atmospheric but while Poe often finds solace in the solitude of his remote home in the fells, the secluded isolation is taken advantage of by others, bringing him face to face with dangerous extremism and abhorrent attitudes which are only too believable. As shameful secrets and brutally depraved acts of violence are uncovered, the sins of the past are revisited in breathtakingly tense and emotional scenes.
M.W. Craven weaves a complex tale exploring themes such as religious beliefs and intolerance, mental health and sexuality with a compassionate examination of fear and the need to belong, but while it may be heartrending, the storyline is irresistibly exciting and utterly compulsive throughout. The Mercy Chair is exceptional and M.W. Craven is the consummate master of intense, dexterously plotted thrillers – I cannot wait to read what comes next!

Oh, my giddy Aunt The Mercy Chair without a doubt is the darkest book in the series yet! Mike Craven is a brilliant storyteller, but this time round and from the off it’s got a very different vibe. The story comes straight from ‘the horse’s mouth ‘ or in this case Poe’s. As he shares his story, an overwhelming sense of unease grows. OMG, does Poe have a story to tell as the themes explored are disturbing, to say the least! I kept wondering why the book is told from Poe’s POV? But as the story progresses, the reason for this becomes clear. If you are as clever or have a mind that’s as twisted as Mike Craven, you may work out some of the subtle but perfectly placed clues within the story.

So not to spoil the read I will keep it simple. Poe and Tilly are investigating a disturbing murder, which leads them to a religious commune and from there on in the plot takes an alarming turn. It’s not only the story that’s told differently, it’s Poe himself in The Mercy Chair. We see a different side to him, a side that will trouble regular readers of this series. The fantastic Tilly continues to entertain with her unfiltered comments. This humour is much needed as it gives the reader time to catch their breath between the more disturbing and intense moments. Mike Craven, without a doubt, is a master of manipulation and misdirection, just as I thought I had it all worked out he threw in the mother of all twists. As for the ending, what a shocker! I am really excited about the next book in the series and can’t wait to see what he has in store for Poe and Tilly next. Definitely one of my top reads this year.

@m.w.craven never disappoints, it really is that simple. The Mercy Chair feels like a slight change in style in the way the story is told, but retains all the humour & personality we know & love from Poe & Tilly.

This story is dark, engrossing & twisty, some I guessed, others left me open-mouthed. I'm not going to go into the plot too much as I'd hate to spoil it for anyone. I will say I am now eagerly awaiting book 7 & need to know what is going to happen to our favourite team next. I would also love more from Bugger Rumble & Clara Lang, please.

If you love this series, you will love this book. If you haven't read them yet, then why not?? I will always recommend this for thriller lovers & those who are looking for an introduction to the genre.

It’s no secret among crime fiction fans that Mike Craven is a highly creative writer with a love of darkness in his fiction. His Washington Poe/Tilly Bradshaw series is an absolute ‘must read’ the minute it hits the shelves. It’s not just the genius of his superb characters; it is also the fabulously intricate plotting coupled with laugh out loud dialogue which helps to leaven the dark plot lines.

The Mercy Chair is compulsive reading and that’s no mean feat, because you have to read it carefully, missing nothing. M. W. Craven builds in small but important plot points throughout the book, meaning your attention must be glued to the pages if you are to have a hope of working out the plot. His short sharp chapters ensure that is an easy task.

What a joy it is to be back with Poe and Tilly again. With this book, Craven has made something of a shift, in as much as it is narrated by Poe himself. Now, while Poe is not an unreliable narrator, what you hear is the story the way Poe wants to tell it. It is not necessarily told with all the facts in the right order.

The murder investigation this time involves a cult and the roots of the crimes go back more than a decade. There’s also another storyline which is completely contemporary. Linus Jorgensen has been sent from the auditors office at the NCA, ostensibly to help Poe and Bradshaw, but neither of them believes that. Who he is and what he is doing will eventually come to light, but Poe nicknames him Snoopy, because he pokes his nose in everywhere.

Snoopy is, however, a minor irritant in a black hearted story that shakes the team to the core. It is the impact of this story and of what Poe has endured in previous inquiries that really takes its toll on Poe. Always hard edged and resilient, Poe is left with few resources to keep him going. Craven has shown us a Poe who had had his fill of tragedy and cruelty, though his thirst for balancing the scales of justice remains strong.

I don’t want to reveal this clever, layered plot, but suffice it to say that we are left at what could be something of a turning point for Poe and Bradshaw and I am on tenterhooks waiting to see what Craven has in store for them next.

Verdict: The Mercy Chair is a brilliant read. Hard hitting, wonderfully filled with a dark, biting humour. It is superbly plotted and the crimes are harrowing but it is the Poe and Tilly partnership that keeps us all coming back for more. They are a special pair and this book is a bit of a masterpiece.

Was eagerly awaiting this and it did not disappoint! Much darker than usual but still full of humour and our favourite characters and a brilliant and very different storyline. Fabulous as ever.

An exceptionally written, perfectly plotted novel with memorable characters. Craven balances true darkness with humour with aplomb.

As a fan of this series, I didn’t think it could get better but, honestly, Craven has outdone himself.

The Mercy Chair is incredibly disturbing so is not for the faint hearted however it never feels gratuitous.

There were so many surprises in this novel that there was no way I could’ve guessed what was going to happen. An absolute triumph.

The Mercy Chair begins with a man visiting his therapist, telling her of his terrible nightmares about crows, and how nothing will rid his sleep of them. He proceeds to tell her why he's haunted by them and the full story that brought him to her for therapy in the first place and why anyone listening to this story needs to pay attention, as it's about to get very dark, very quickly and life for some will never be the same again...

This latest story, book six in the Washington Poe series, brings Poe and Tilly back together with a very dark tale of a murder that relates back to something that happened fifteen years earlier involving, for want of a better phrase, a religious cult. During their investigations they are joined by Linus Jorgensen, an auditor that has been drafted in to help them, but Poe immediately questions his motives for being there and gives him the nickname Snoopy, constantly keeping an eye on him because he definitely doesn’t trust him, and rightly so. The premise of this tale is very cleverly written as a story within a story and Craven weaves this together so intricately, involving some very delicate subjects, and slowly through the book strips away the layers to reveal what happened. As always, I loved the relationship between Poe and Tilly, the brusque demeanour of the burly detective and the raw naivety of the very loyal Bradshaw who, in amongst all the darkness of this thriller, brought some much needed humour to the table and never failed to make me smile, with her unfiltered comments. I love how we have started to see a softer side to Poe, while he still stays true to fighting for what is right and gaining justice for those that have been wronged. The story is full of surprises and the twists just keep on coming in this fast paced read with short chapters, just as I like them. I’ve loved all of this series but this one is the best so far, I can’t wait for book seven!

I’d like to thank Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

M.W. Craven is probably the best British crime writer out there at the moment, and every new release seems to cement his status further.

The Mercy Chair is a phenomenal book. Slightly different from previous book, this is very dark and chilling, and see’s Tilly and Poe pushed beyond where they’ve been before.

What makes this book so astounding is the fact I found myself laughing and the brilliant interplay between Tilly & Poe one page, and then the very next page had me catching my breath and pausing to come to terms with a scene of depravity.

Just a brilliant book, and I cant wait for the next one.

I so love this guys writing and Tilly and Poe are up there with my favourite sleuths. The combination of somewhat acerbic Poe and the super brainy, no social skills Tilly, make for enjoyable reading. I’m very happy to see that he has completed the next book and is working on the one after that.
When a badger digs up a grave, the body that is recovered is not the person who was named on the grave site, it appears he has been buried under the coffin. Unluckily Washington Poe happens to be having a meal at a nearby pub and so responds to the call. He could never have imagined what would unfold and how he nearly loses his life. It’s a story of a man, hung from a tree and stoned to death that links to a murder 15 years ago when a young girl killed her whole family, and a religious zealot who has the Mercy Chair.
Assigned to help them with the case is a young man called Linus whom Poe is immediately suspicious of and calls him either the intern or Snoopy. Poe’s interaction with this man is hilarious.
There are several huge twists and an even bigger twist at the end. Loved this so much!
Long wait now until the next instalment.

#TheMercyChair. #NetGalley

I absolutely loved The Mercy Chair, which, after a few somewhat less than believable books, was a real return to the glory days of Poe and Tilly.

The world of religious fanaticism and zealotry is explored brilliantly, and I loved the twists (one of which I guessed, one of which I very much didn't).

It’s one of finest books I’ve read in a very long time.
Craven picks some very dark themes here but as with previous books, he finds a way to write about them in an utterly chilling way without ever being prurient. There are so many books that I’ve read (or, more usually, stopped reading) that choose chilling actions and dwell on the details. Somehow – and I’ve no idea how he does it – Craven writes about these things without hiding the darkness and yet makes them a compelling part of the story. While the imagery may be shocking, it is clear that these things are supposed to be shocking and they have a profound effect on those who experience and witness them, Poe in particular, who, as you might expect, experiences the worst of everything.
The idea that Poe is not indestructible is an essential part of this series and these events have quite rightly pushed him right to the edge (if not a little further) as they should, and it’s clear that their effects will stretch beyond the end of the book, again, not something that is that common in the genre. The characters here act and react as real people would do, which, given the sort of book this is, is quite an achievement from Craven.
Plot-wise, I don’t want to say too much as the blurb is nicely vague, and the les you know the better. I’ve tried to be vaguer than usual with my own blurb – sorry, Mike, for wholesale pinching the joke, but no one will spot it – probably.
It’s also interesting to see the changes in the status quo that the book brings, but I’ll say no more than that.
One thing – I do notice that my copy of the book is labelled as a “Poe and Bradshaw” thriller. Interesting, as Tilly, Poe’s best friend and all-round genius (especially in Maths) seemed to be in the book less that usual – she’s in it a fair bit, just seemed to be missing for a good chunk of the second half. It’s probably for the best, as I wouldn’t want her anywhere near some of the stuff going on here, but hopefully we’ll see more of her in the future, as there’s aren’t enough serial-killer hunting mathematicians out there…

The darkest and therefore my favourite so far of this series- one I've followed from the start.

This story digs deep into religious fanaticism and into nature and nurture, giving Poe and Tilly a massive case and a whole pile of danger.

The writing as always is spot on and these characters live and breathe on the page. Subtly twisty and hugely compelling creating an absolute page turner.

Recommended. This book plus all the ones that came before.

I’ve been on the journey with Poe and Tilly from the very beginning and what can I say about book 6 that I haven’t said before? This series just keeps getting better and better so anything I’ve said earlier just needs to be multiplied several times!
This one was much darker- Poe is seeing a trauma specialist after a really tough case and as he relives what has happened, the reader is treated to a compelling murder mystery- occasionally interrupted by Dr Lang, the psychologist.
When Cornelius Green, erstwhile leader of a religious cult, is found murdered, apparently stoned to death, Poe and Tilly are called on to solve one of their most difficult cases.
It transpires that Cornelius and his ilk are not very pleasant, they are extremely devout Christians and do not believe in many things that most people would find normal in today’s society but are these beliefs related to his murder? It seems that some awful crimes have been committed in the name of religion and it is these that are preying on Poe’s mind.
As well as Poe and Tilly, there is a new character called Linus who has been sent to audit their crime unit and is thus following them around.
Poe calls him his “intern”and “Snoopy” for obvious reasons but is rather concerned that Linus is not who he says he is and has ulterior motives.
As ever I liked the banter between Poe and Tilly and their obvious concern for each other. Poe is blunt and sarcastic, rubbing people up the wrong way as he investigates. Tilly is extremely bright, takes everything literally and is incredibly loyal to her friends, particularly Poe.
I feared at the end that this might be a series finale but when I read the postscript by the author I was relieved to see he has more to say about these two amazing characters.
I highly recommend this book and if you haven’t read the earlier novels I recommend these too!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

WOW just WOW this is the 6th book in the wonderful Washington Poe series and they just keep getting better and better and this in my opinion is simply THE BEST so far.

So, a little backstory first. There are 6 books in the Washington Poe series starting with The Puppet Show (which was the winner of the CWA Gold Dagger in 2019), then Black Summer which The Sun called “A brutal and thrilling page-turner”, then book 3 is The Curator and Peter James said it was “dark, sharp and compelling”, followed by Dead Ground which was the winner of the prestigious CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award in 2022, and book 5 is The Botanist.

If you haven’t read any of the above the usual questions would be; can I read this as a standalone and the answer is YES. Should I read the series and the answer is YES. Would you recommend I start at Book 1 and read them in chronological order and the answer is YES OF COURSE WHAT KIND OF WEIRDO READS BOOKS OUT OF ORDER?

So I am going to review this without giving any spoilers away and in the hope that you know exactly who Washington Poe and Tilly Bradshaw are.

The Mercy Chair is very different to the 5 previous books in the series. For a start the beginning of the book has an unexpected opening chapter which left me feeling oddly discombobulated, but the end of that chapter had me reeling and utterly hooked unable to put my kindle down.

The Mercy Chair follows Poe and Tilly in another unusual and horrific murder investigation and it would be remiss of me to not warn you that there are themes of child abuse, cults, homophobia and extreme views running throughout the storyline which are really, really, really dark and very disturbing.

Despite the darkness, there is some light from the wonderful banter between Poe and Tilly and watching their friendship grow and deepen still makes me warm and tingly inside.

I don’t really want to say more, except read the series, pre-order this book and be blown away but the sheer brilliance of this crime series.

5 HUGE STARS

Well ... What in the heck did I just read? I've seen this described as the darkest book in the Washington Poe series yet, and that is not an incorrect statement. And anyone who has read the shocking scenes in book one alone knows that this is quite a high bar to exceed. And yet, in a story which is as unapologetically packed with witticisms as it is tension, M.W. Craven has taken us, and our beloved Poe and Tilly to the very edge. It's a story that is going to take some time to recover from, and not just me with an undoubted book hangover. Its events are going to resonate long and hard with the characters too.

Now, I don't want to say too much about the story as the beauty of this one really is in the reading. There is something which marks it out as a somewhat unusual and unexpected from the very beginning, a set of circumstances that the most avid of Poe lovers would initially right off as highly improbable. And yet ... within just a few short pages M.W Craven manages to establish the tone of this book, and also the deviation in narrative that we would normally expect from the series. Yes, we are following Poe and Tilly as they investigate a somewhat heinous murder. But no - not in the typical way you might expect. Listen with Mother this is not, but Poe is telling us a story, one which has a really dark heart and that becomes more abhorrent and shocking the more that we learn.

I really did like how the author has framed this book - a story within a story - and the way it allows him to explore the profound affect that this case has on Poe in particular. It is clear from the very way in which the book starts that this is no ordinary case, and it would take an impossibly hard heart not to be impacted by what comes to pass. If there is anything we have learned about Poe over the course of the series, it is that, beyond the sarcasm and dismissive luddite tendencies when it comes to technology, very much Tilly's domain, there beats a heart of gold. He is a man driven by a desire for justice and a passion for fighting for what he considers to be right. And in this particular case there is a plethora of injustice that needs to be avenged, even if it is to come at a very high cost to the team.

Now this book is dark - proper black hole level dark, dark - but rest assured that M.W Craven has not forgotten Poe's true nature at all, nor the dynamic that has made this team so very special. Tilly is on fine form once again, in her naive, direct, speak as she finds approach to life. She is so refreshing, unhindered by life's construct of false nicety, as she has literally no concept of what is offensive and what not. She has no filter. She is everything you'd like to say, but wrapped in a truly likable, forgivable, bundle of technical geekery that remains irresistible. Poe - well, he's equally as unfiltered, his sarcasm shining through in a way that even he may well live to regret this time. And they are joined by a third team member. Not DI Flynn, whose presence is a lot less, well, present this time around, but a man with an agenda Poe can't quite put his finger on. He's allegedly there to conduct an audit, but Linus Jorgensen, given the all too appropriate nickname of "Snoopy" by Poe, is certainly keeping his cards close to his chest. It makes for some interesting, and amusing, scenes as Poe delivers the requisite amount of abuse towards his new 'intern'.

In a case that is driven by fanaticism and extremist attitudes, you can feel the darkness building all around them, and from the beginning it is clear that nothing good is going to come from this case. It's perhaps not the darkest way in which the author has ended a book, but it certainly the most shocking, and with the jeopardy levels massively off the scale, it's the kind of book that captures your attention and holds it in a vice like grip right to the very last page. Do not make any plans when you start reading as you'll find theurge to cancel them will be very, very strong. Dark, intense and charged with tension and apprehension from the very beginning this is another absolute winner of a story. Is this the book that changes everything? Why yes. I think it is, and actually quite excited about that fact. Bring on book seven!